Forest bathing at Rushmere Country Park

Rushmere Country Park covers more than 400 acres of woodland, heathland and meadows between Leighton Buzzard and Heath and Reach. It is run by the Greensand Trust, a not-for-profit charity, in partnership with Central Bedfordshire Council, and part of it lies within the Kings Wood and Rushmere National Nature Reserve. It is a well-used park with visitor centres and cafés, but it is large enough to find a quiet bench.

The main entrance on Linslade Road leads to Herons View Visitor Centre and Tree Tops Restaurant; the second entrance at Stockgrove has its own visitor centre and café. The Sculpture Trail is suitable for buggies and wheelchairs and makes an easy start. For somewhere quieter, try the Oak Wood Sculpture Trail in the north-western part of the park, a loop of about 1.5 km with carved benches showing bluebells, adders and emperor moths. The gates close in the late afternoon, so plan to be back at the car in good time.